Earl Arnold
California, USA
Earl has been fishing since 1952 and teaching fly fishing since 1995. He serves as the VP of Education for the Southwest Council, fly fishing instructor for City of Ventura Recreation Department, fly fishing instructor for The Conejo Valley Adult Education and Ventura community college community enrichment programs.
David Bracks
NWS, Australia
David Bracks lives in Sydney Australia and enjoys actively teaching students and mentoring candidates seeking FFI certification. Most of David’s teaching is in person and virtually. He is an FFI Certified Master Casting Instructor, both Single Hand MCI and Two Hand THMCI and a Level 3 Examiner, is a member of the FFI Fly Casting Education Program Leadership Team and is jointly responsible for Angler Casting Education (including Fly Casting Skills Development Programs). David is a member of the FFI Exam Committee.
Bill Campbell
Texas, USA
Bill is a Master Casting Instructor (MCI) with Fly Fishers International (FFI). He grew up in the suburbs of Baltimore, MD where he learned to fly fish when he was eleven years old. The area’s local farm ponds and its tributaries of the Chesapeake Bay proved to be excellent fishing classrooms for him. During his teenage years, his passion for fly fishing grew by regularly reading Lefty Kreh’s “Maryland Outdoors” article, which was published weekly in The Baltimore Sun. Throughout his fly-fishing journey, Bill has had the good fortune to fly fish from New Zealand to Maryland and many places in between. Today, he fishes mostly on Lake Texoma and in the lakes and rivers of East Tennessee. His favorite place to fish is on the banks of Lake Texoma chasing smallmouth bass on topwater with his British Lab, Charleigh by his side.
Aaron Culley is a Washington state native and member of Fly Fishers International, FFI Fly Tying Group and a certified casting instructor (FFICI) (2004). Aaron has earned the gold level of fly-tying skills in the Fly Tying Group. Aaron has been fishing and hunting since an early age and became seriously addicted to fly fishing since last century. Aaron is an avid fly tyer and 25+ year member of the Northwest Atlantic Salmon Fly Guild, FFI Fly Tying Group. He is accomplished at tying Classic Atlantic Salmon full dress flies. Aaron ties nearly all the flies he uses fishing.
Aaron has served as President of the Overlake Fly Fishing Club and board member of the Washington State council of the Fly Fishers International, and now FFI, receiving the Washington Council’s Presidents award in 2009 and Washington State Council Fly Tyer Hall of Fame (2024). You can often find him demo tying at various fly fishing expos. He has taught entomology to youth groups at the state level and at fly fishing expo events at international expos. He provides casting lessons at local and regional events.
David Dempsey
California, USA
David is a California native who began fly fishing at the age of 10 or 11, not that he knew what he was doing back then. He eventually figured out what he was doing and began teaching fly fishing and fly tying in the late 80's and was one of the earliest guides for the Redding Fly Shop. Outspoken and irreverent, he somehow managed to tone down his schtick enough to start the Mt Tamalpais Fly Fishers and was their founding president.
David has always "preferred" the dry fly and during his time as a guide, he realized many clients struggled with both presentation and pattern selection. This led to a series of small group workshops and creating a series of more comprehensive fly fishing classes at the College of Marin in the early 90's.
David was also a member of the Taucher Committee (since renamed)--an advisory group to the California Fish and Game Commission. He continues to teach and does some limited private on-stream lessons.
Bruce Delventhal
Florida, USA
Bruce grew up in the Catskill School of fly tying and then the Brodheads Henryville school. My mentors being Dr. David Rose and Ernie Schwiebert as we were all members of the Henryville Conservation Club. Bruce was then was influenced by Fran Betters when I lived in Lake Placid. He is currently a member of the Catskill Fly Tying Guild and FFI Fly Tying Group as well as a former board member of the Backcountry Fly Fishers of Naples, FL.
Mary Ann Dozer
Oregon, USA
Mary Ann grew up in Indiana on my family’s chicken farm. There were no trout in that chicken house! Mary Ann caught the fly-fishing bug in Yellowstone in 1995. For 30 years, fly fishing has inspired her. As a licensed guide and instructor, She spent 25 years helping others discover the joy of the sport. My engineering background fuels a practical, tech-forward teaching style that makes learning accessible for all. Your Loop tells the story of your casting. Mary Ann's method focuses on the “how” and “why” behind each cast, helping you adjust on the water. Her coaching builds skill and confidence for all levels. Together, we use video to refine your technique. During COVID, I envisioned the possibility of teaching fly casting virtually. In 2024, she launched Good2Great—an 8-week online workshop to turn good casters into great ones. Over time, she refined this method with a course book and video library. You’ll learn to tighten your loop, master new casts, and unlock the secrets of the Double Haul. Want to go from good to great? Join me on Fly Fest 2026 or my next Virtual Workshop. Let’s cast together and rewrite your Loop’s story.
Joel Evans
Colorado, USA
Joel has lived in Montrose Colorado for 46 years and fished all over Colorado. He combines fishing, guiding, writing, photography, and fly tying. He self-taught fly tying in the early 1980’s from a book with black and white drawings, long before color, photos, and videos.
Joel is a regular outdoor columnist with the Montrose Press and is the fly tying columnist for the High Country Angler magazine. He is an FFI fly tying Bronze Award recipient. He has taught hundreds of kids and adults the art of fly tying. He has been at various times a pro team member for Ross Reels, Dynaking, Whiting Farms, Scott Rods, Cortland, Scientific Anglers, Orvis, and Patagonia.
He is a 1983 charter member of Gunnison Gorge Anglers, chapter of Fly Fishers International and Trout Unlimited, serving on local, state, and national boards. He is a recipient of the Colorado Trout Unlimited Silver Trout Award.
Stream improvements to the Uncompahgre River have been a passion project for Joel. He has hiked through the depths of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, at the river canyon bottom - one of only a few to ever do this high-risk adventure.
Jim Ferguson
Oregon, USA
Willy George
California, USA
Willy George is an FFI certified Master Casting Instructor both Single Hand (MCI) & Two Handed (THMCI). He is the Chairman of the FFI Fly Casting Education Program, is a member of the FFI Board of Directors, and is the Casting Director for the Northern California Council of FFI. Willy is the Head Casting Instructor at the famous Golden Gate Angling & Casting Club in San Francisco, CA (World’s largest fly fishing club) and the Head Casting Instructor at Diablo Valley Fly Fishers in Walnut Creek, CA. In 2022, Willy was awarded the prestigious FFI Mel Krieger Fly Casting Instructor Award and in 2018 he received the FFI Casting Instructor Certification Program Mentoring Award. Willy was the original instructor for Stanford University’s Introduction to Fly Fishing accredited course. He lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with his family and is blessed to fly fish and teach fly fishing around the world.
Todd Heggestad
Minnesota, USA
Todd Heggestad has been a Certified Casting Instructor since 2010. He is an active member of his local club, the Arrowhead Fly Fishers, past President of the Upper Midwest Council, and has participated on the FFI Board of Directors as the Council President's committee chair. He has both freshwater and saltwater fly fishing experience and values the wonderful places to enjoy the recreational pursuit of fly fishing.
Marion Hiller
Washington, USA
After 38 years as a middle school teacher, Marion became an FFI-Certified Casting Instructor. She loves teaching fly casting to casters of all ages and skill levels, using a variety of strategies to help them become skilled, independent, and confident anglers on the water. She currently serves as a co-leader of FFI’s FCSD Program. With Mary Ann Dozer, she also co-led FFI’s Women Connect FCSD Workshops in Arkansas. She has also co-presented with Molly Semenik and Rick Williams in Continuing Education Programs. When not teaching, Marion travels to fishing destinations and meet others who share her passion for fly fishing.
Steve Hiller
Washington, USA
Steve has lived in the Bellingham, WA area for most of his life, and he has also been interested in fishing for as long as he can remember. As a Boy Scout, he earned his fly-fishing merit badge. When he married into his wife’s family, he quickly learned that he needed to fully embrace fly fishing.
The union led him to fishing in Montana and British Columbia, as well as to many other memorable international adventures. More recently, his growing interest in fishing moving water, meeting Molly Semenik, and his wife becoming a certified casting instructor showed him that he needed to become a more proficient caster. This journey ultimately led him to become a certified casting instructor, so he could help Fourth Corner Fly Fishers (4CFF) and Fly Fishers International (FFI) promote fly fishing. He is currently involved with the FFI Fly Cast Skills Development (FCSD) team.
Peter Lami
Montana, USA
Peter Lami is a FFI certified Master Casting Instructor (MCI), Single Hand L-1
Examiner.
The SE Council of Fly Fishers Int’l. has nominated him for “Mentor of the Year 2026.”
His website startflycasting.com includes 6 free Casting Lessons, of which 3 will be
presented at FlyFest 2026 in Redding, California.
Peter lives in Livingston, Montana and fishes for Tarpon in the Keys, Redfish in South
Carolina’s lowcountry and Greater Yellowstone region during the entire summer
season.
Tom H. Logan
Florida, USA
Tom H. Logan is a retired Certified Wildlife Biologist who specialized for 47+ years in research, recovery and management of T&E wildlife species. He teaches fly casting and tying and fishes classic fly patterns for bream and bass in his home waters and streams of the Smokies and western US. Tom specializes in writing and teaching the biology of fish prey selection and the predator/prey relationship to selection of fly patterns. He was awarded "Fly tyer of the Year" by the Southern Council in 2003 and the "Silver King" and "Conservation" awards by the FFI Board in 2013 and 2015, respectively. He was presented the Board "FFI Award of Distinction for Leadership and Service" in 2021, the “FFI Fly Fisher of the Year” in 2023 and is the 2025 recipient of the “FFI Buz Buszek Memorial Fly Tying Award”. Tom is a Life member of FFI, Chairman Emeritus of the FFI Board and it's Fly Tying Programs and Conservation Committees and currently serves as Vice President of the Florida Council of FFI.
Michael Malekos
California, USA
Michael Malekos is a seasoned fly fisherman and philanthropist whose five decades on California’s waters have shaped a lifelong passion for trout and wild places A contributing columnist for California Fly Fisher magazine and founder of the Casting A Rise Foundation, Mike is known for blending practical angling insight with storytelling, stewardship, and a commitment to giving back through the sport he loves.
His first book, Shared Waters, explores California’s storied trout fisheries through personal reflections, proven fly-fishing strategies, and lessons gathered over a lifetime on the water. Through his writing and presentations, Mike reminds anglers that the true value of fly fishing is found not only in the fish, but in the friendships, generosity, and shared experiences the sport inspires.
Larry Olson
Minnesota, USA
Larry serves as the Managing Editor of the Whip Finish Journal. He was the Lead Editor of the Fly Tying Group book, "Fly Tying for All Fish All Waters". He serves as a Fly Tying Group Board of Governors and Darwin Atkin Fly Tying Award recipient.
Mike Pease
California, USA
Mike Pease, a Northern California native and lifelong explorer of the Lost Sierra in California, is an expert fly-fishing guide with a deep passion for the outdoors. As a Stanford-trained educator and graduate of the Clearwater Guide School, he brings a wealth of knowledge to his clients. Mike is Orvis-endorsed with over eighty 5-star reviews, highlighting his excellence in guiding. He founded Feather River Fly Fishing School and Mike Pease Adventures, where he shares his love for fly fishing. An avid outdoorsman, Mike has authored seven articles for California Fly Fisher magazine, solidifying his reputation in the fly- fishing community.
George Pess
Washington, USA
With over 26 years at NOAA, George has contributed to salmonid recovery by developing and implementing projects quantifying ecosystem responses to restoration. His work spans stream and watershed restoration, emphasizing habitat restoration's impact on salmonid populations. He collaborated extensively with federal, state, local agencies, first nations, NGOs, and academia to advance conservation goals. Authored multiple peer-reviewed articles in prominent journals. He also secured substantial funding annually to sustain groundbreaking research efforts, emphasizing actionable science for ecosystem recovery.
Dave Peterson
Michigan, USA
Dave served as Chairman of the Board of Fly Fishers International from 2020-2024 and is now Chairman Emeritus He is currently Chair of the FFI Conservation Committee, is a Life Member of FFI and is a member of the FFI President’s Club. He is also Conservation Vice President for the Great Lakes Council of FFI.
Ron Rabun
California, USA
Ron has focused on fly fishing 50 years on California’s Upper Sacramento River near Dunsmuir. Short-line Nymphing techniques on the Upper Sac and Shasta area rivers historically developed in the 60s which have developed into Euro mono line nymphing. He spent 25 years honing techniques and 25 years guiding between 1975 and 2014. Hundreds of anglers either guided, attended clinics or programs on these techniques. 2014 resulted in giving up guiding due to certian limiting health issues. He became a Certified Casting Instructor at the first course at San Mateo in the early 80s and recertification by Mel Krieger in 1991. Today, he is actively involved with FFI Casting Program, Project Healing Waters and local Sacramento fly clubs. Ron currently serves as President of the Fly Fishers of Davis, a FFI member club.
Al Ritt
Colorado, USA
Al took his first tying class in 1983 and has fly fished for trout, grayling, bass, pike, panfish, catfish, carp, steelhead, salmon, bonefish, permit, snook, tarpon, redfish and other species. He and wife Diana operate Al Ritt Flies promoting fly tying and organizing/hosting domestic/international fishing travel. Al is a presenter, instructor, member of TU, life member of FFI and life member of the FFI FTG. Al currently serves on the FTG BOG and has done committee work including development of the Fly Tying Skills Award Program and currently developing the Fly Tier Instructor Program. Al is the 2022 FFI Buz Buszek recipient, an FFI bronze, silver and gold fly Fly Tying Skills Award recipient, authored 25 Best Most Versatile Flies and articles for Fly Fusion, Fly Fishing and Tying Journal, Fly Tyer, Hatches, Flyfishing Journal and the FFI FTG newsletter, a fly designer for Montana Fly Company, a pro-team member for Daiichi Hooks and a brand ambassador for Dyna-King vises. He has appeared at fly fishing shows, expos and fly fishing clubs across the US and Canada.
Mark Rockwell
California, USA
Dr. Mark Rockwell has been working on environmental issues since 2001 when he became the V.P. of Conservation for the Northern California Council of Fly Fishers International (NCCFFI). In 2005, he was invited to be the California Organizer of the Endct (ESA). He worked for 12 years for ESC as the California Organizer, and then the Pacific Field Organizer in charge of California, Oregon and Washington field operations.
He has been in leadership for Fly Fishers International (FFI) since joining the Board of the Northern California Council, FFI in 2003, serving as V.P. of Conservation, and then President from 2018 to 2023. He continues today as the V.P. of Conservation, and has received the coveted FFI Conservation Leadership Award twice - 2007 & 2023.
He began working on Klamath river dam removal in 2003, signing the original Klamath Basin Restoration Agreement (KBRA) & Klamath Hydropower Settlement Agreement (KHSA) agreements in 2010, and the current revised KHSA in 2015. It’s been a 20+ year collaborative effort to provide the opportunity for the Klamath River to return to its historic greatness.
Steve Schalla
California, USA
Steve has been involved in fly fishing for the past 30 years. Past President of the Southwest Council FFI and currently President of the Sespe Fly Fishers in Ventura California. He has a website known as "Fly Fishing the Sierra" for the past 25 years. It includes maps, hatch charts, and description of the fish throughout the entire Sierra. Steve also provide fishing maps through my online store and have been providing programs covering the Sierra Nevada to fly fishing clubs throughout California for the past 6 years. As a fly tier, he has over 200 step by step tutorials covering the primary fly patterns used in the Sierra. These tutorials are found on the "Fly Fishing the Sierra" website. Currently, Steve serves on the Board of Governors with the Fly Tying Group of FFI.
Michael Taggert
Virginia, USA
Michael Taggert from Fredericksburg Virginia is a silver skills award tier. Given his geographic location on the fall line of the Rappahannock River, Michael has been able to embrace all fish all waters. His demonstration will include several flies from this waterway that runs from the Easternslope of the Shennandoah National Park to the Chesapeake Bay. Noted for his fly of the month the Grey Moose, the local favorite The Falmouth Jitterbug, Michael's talk will include fishing tactics along this waterway. The Rapidan and Rapahhanock rivers flow past the homes of Presidents and such historical figures as Pocahontas, "King" Carter, two signers of the Declaration of Independence. This diverse fishery produces saltwater species such as rock fish (stripers) and snook. The brackish water holds largemouth bass, sunfish, bowfin, and snakehead, further upriver are smallmouth and muskie. The mountains hold stocked rainbows and browns. The National Pak holds Native Brookies. Michael fishes for all. Part history lesson, part fishing technique and tying demo this is fun for all talk.
Luong Tam
California, USA
Discover tenkara from traditional Japanese fly fishing to modern fly fishing practice—with an engineer’s look at why it works. In this upbeat seminar, Luong Tam is a well-known expert in Tenkara and will take fly fishers from zero to hero, covering rod setup, casting, line control, fly presentation, and the art of landing fish with the rod—not the reel.
Sam Yee
California, USA
FFI CCI, While trying to get certified, I had the opportunity to meet Mel Krieger, and take the cci test from him back in the day. Unfortunately the test was not well defined and I did not realize he was giving me a test task and sand bagged my accuracy test. Passed eventually but not with Mel. It pays to be persistent. Retired now so I get to fish the Sacramento Area, American River, shad and stripers,, Yuba River Trout, shad and steelhead, Feather River steelhead and Stripers, Lake Berryessa and of course the Sacramento Delta for stripers and bass.
Jonathan Walter
Colorado, USA
Jonathan Walter lives in Wheat Ridge, CO near Denver. He is a Single Hand Master Casting Instructor, a Single Hand Level Two Examiner, and owner/operator/head fly line cleaner for Clear Creek Fly Casting, LLC. His CI candidates have been successful in attaining certification over the past several years and his approach blends teaching and casting skills. These are interdependent skills.
Michael Wier
California, USA
Michael has been with CalTrout since 2012. Michael is our roving media guru who traverses the state to visit our projects and helps tell compelling stories through video, photos and print. He’s also our resident fishing specialist and comes from a background in the Fly-Fishing industry as well as conservation.
Miles Zimmerman
California, USA
Miles Zimmerman is a Northern California–born fly fisherman and co-owner of Trout Creek Outfitters in Truckee, CA, a full-service fly shop dedicated to making fly fishing accessible and fun year-round. He grew up in Grass Valley, CA, learning trout fishing from his grandfather before moving to Truckee at 19. Over the past 15 years, he has fished extensively throughout California’s rivers, lakes, and streams, with a strong focus on the Sierra Nevada. Miles is an expert on Pyramid Lake and the Truckee River.